Convergence of History

Speed is not everything, but a comparison of the average speeds of the Paris-Roubaix and the Tour de France since their first editions does present an interesting view of cycling racing evolution. Since WWII the Tour has seen a steady progression in average speed whereas the Paris-Roubaix, although erratic, has maintained a fairly constant average speed. The 1943 P-R was run of at 41.8kmph and the 2007 P-R was run off at 42.1kmph. Over that same period the Tour has evolved from 31.4kmph in 1947 to 39.2kmph in 2007. For about the last decade there has been a convergence of average speeds raced between the one-day P-R and the three week TdF.

Perhaps the most dramatic improvements in technology, training, teamwork and (unfortunately) drugs have taken place since the 1980's. The Paris-Roubaix (as well as the Tour of Flanders) the race that today is most similar to its early years tells an interesting story. Naturally unlike a stage race, actual race day weather conditions play a huge role in the race, so comparisons should consider the elements. This past year Stuart O'Grady won the 259km race in 42.1kmph. A quantum leap was made during WW2 when Marcel Kint won the 250km 1943 race with 43.6kmph. Five years later Rik Van Steenbergen raised the bar (over 246kms) to 43.6kmph. The absolute race record was set in 1964 when the astounding Peter Post covered the 265kms of cobbled terror at 45.1kmph.

Stage races like the Tour have infinitely more variables than a single day race. Unlike the classics, the average speed for the Tour has grown almost constantly since WWI. Since the 1980's the gap in average speed between the single day P-R and the Tour has almost disappeared. Compared to the classics (like P-R), the evolution of the Tour has been dramatically impacted by everything from road conditions, to technology and the rules governing the race. Since 1990 the Tour has resulted in an overall average speed faster than the single day P-R in seven of those years.

A race like Paris-Roubaix tells us that with its retro road conditions the modern athlete with all of his evolutionary advantages is no further ahead! A 1940's Steenbergen would be as much a threat today as he was during his time. The great champions of the past are often remembered with good reason and when the masses of fans line the roads of ‘Roubaix' and ‘Flanders' they see the ghosts of champions past competing with the modern gladiators. A few years ago the organizers of the Giro introduced a major unpaved climb into the race. The outpouring of outrage in the media was almost deafening. Turning the clock back to conditions encountered by the likes of Coppi would “kill the race”. Modern riders and their equipment could not handle such harsh conditions. As it turned out the ascent was the most memorable part of the whole three weeks. For the tifosi going ‘back to the future' rekindled cycling's golden era - and they loved it.

More than any other sport cycling has endless possibilities to create mass appeal. Drawing on the sport's rich history is yet another secret to surviving evolution.

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